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Period: 1492 to
US History
From 1492 to 1877, the founding of America known today was a long journey. This timeline will explore the major events that became the foundation of present day America as we know it. -
Virginia House of Burgesses
The colonists in the Virginia decided it was necessary to abolish martial law and create a legislative assembly. The colonists decided to meet on July 30th, 1619 in the church at Jamestown. They wanted to raise their own representative assemblies. The Virginia House of Burgesses became the first popularly elected legislature in the New World. This became the first practice towards democracy.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/2f.asp -
Slave Codes
Slaves in America rebelled against their fate. The Americans set a strict series of laws to restrict their behavior. these were called slave codes. Slaves were not allowed to own their own property. They were not allowed to assemble without presence of a white person. Slaves on plantations were given special curfews and were not allowed to be taught how to read or write. They were never part of a jury, and slaves in court always lost their case because of this. http://www.ushistory.org/us/6f.asp -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a document that powerfully helped Americans absolve from the British. Americans believed that Britain was treating America as a foreign body. The Continental Congress cut ties with Britain. Twelve of thirteen colonies voted for independence. With New York not voting at all, it was considered unanimous. The Declaration was signed July 4th, 1776 by all present delegates. -
The Battle of Saratoga
British and Hessian troops surrendered their arms because General John Burgoyne lost 86% of his force that had marched from Canada to New York the previous summer. Burgoyne wanted to invade America from Canada, however his supply lines from Canada became longer and less reliable. American General John Stark captures 500 German soldiers under the British.The success of Americans in this battle gave France confidence to join them as an ally. http://www.ushistory.org/us/11g.asp -
Melting Pot
America’s first melting pot means when cultures come together in one society and are “melting together.” From all of the immigration in America, it is evident that America was a melting pot in the 1700s and 1800s, and still continues. -
Shays' Rebellion
Shays’ Rebellion was an uprising in western Massachusetts in opposition to high taxes and strict economic conditions. Armed bands forced several courts to close in order to prevent foreclosures and debt processes. Daniel Shays and other leaders from the area led hundreds of men in forcing the Supreme Court to adjourn. -
Federalism
Federalism is the mixed or compound mode of government, combining a general government with regional governments in a single political system. When writing the Constitution, the framers wanted to write it in a federalist fashion. They soon developed federalism, and caused the country to become federalists. -
Election of 1800
The election of 1800 was between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, but both candidates believed either one of them would ruin the country when elected. Federalists in this time period attacked Jefferson because he wasn’t Christian. Democratic-Republicans criticized the strong centralization of federal power under Adams. -
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was between the U.S. and the greatest naval power in the world, Great Britain. This conflict had enormous impact on America’s future. The U.S. experienced many great defeats during this war. The war ended when commissioners signed the Treaty of Ghent, and was ratified the following February. -
Republicanism
Republicanism is a political ideology centered on citizenship in a state organized as a republic under which the people hold popular sovereignty. Many countries are "republics" in the sense that they are not monarchies. This idea guided the political value preceding the war of 1812. -
Chivalry
Chivalry is courteous behavior, especially that of a man toward women. During the times of slavery, southern code addressed the behaviors of men and women. Southern gentlemen were typically lawyers, politicians, planters, or military men Southern women were usually genteel and gracious, and knew how to entertain guests. -
New England Anti-Slavery Society
This society was founded largely when the principal founder, William Lloyd Garrison, established the philosophy, goals and objectives for the Society. The society advocated for immediate abolition to slavery. The society stated that slavery was immoral and objected the ideas of the American Colonization Society. -
Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears was when 1600 Native Americans were marched over 1,200 miles of rugged land. About 4,000 of these Native Americans died due to disease, famine, and warfare. -
Manifest Destiny
This is a belief that the expansion of the U.S. was justifiable and inevitable. Many people believed that God wanted the U.S. to expand, and because they were religious during this time, they would exceute God’s will. -
Compromise of 1850
Senator Henry Clay introduced a series of resolutions, known as compromises, to resolve crisis between the North and South. The Fugitive Slave Act was amended which dissolved the slave trade in Washington, D.C. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This act allowed people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether or not to allow slavery within their borders. It served to repeal the Missouri Compromise of 1820 which prohibited slavery north of latitude 36°30´. -
Election of 1864
The Presidential election of 1864 was when President Abraham Lincoln defeated George B. McClellan. This election occurred during the American Civil War. Abraham Lincoln thought he wouldn’t be re elected as president against McClellan, but ended up winning against him, being elected for his second term. -
Slavocracy
Slavocracy is the idea of a faction of slaveholders and advocates of slavery in the South prior to the American Civil War. Andrew Johnson railed against the idea of slavocracy in many of his speeches. -
The Thirteenth Amendment
The Thirteenth Amendment was an amendment added to the Constitution that abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. The only type of involuntary servitude allowed was by punishment by crime. Congress first passed this act, and the House of Representatives passed it almost a year later.
